Michele Romanow

Michele Romanow is a serial entrepreneur and investor, known for her roles on CBC’s Dragons’ Den and as a co-founder of Clearco, a leading e-commerce investor. After co-founding SnapSaves, which was acquired by Groupon in 2014 and subsequently relaunched in the U.S. as Snap by Groupon, Michele Romanow solidified her reputation as a formidable tech entrepreneur. Prior to this, she had already established significant ventures including Buytopia.ca, an e-commerce platform that successfully acquired ten competitors, notably Shop.ca and WagJag.

Her early career also saw her co-found the zero-consumer-waste coffee shop ‘Tea Room’ in 2006, while earning Civil Engineering and MBA degrees from Queen’s University, and launch Evandale Caviar, a vertically integrated commercial fishery. Her impact was recognized early, with Forbes naming her one of the Top 20 Most Disruptive ‘Millennials on a Mission’ in 2013, followed by her inclusion in the list of 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada in 2015. Romanow’s career advanced significantly in 2015 when she joined the cast of CBC’s Dragons’ Den for Season 10, becoming its youngest-ever cast member and further establishing her presence in the investment and media landscape. The same year, she co-founded Clearbanc with Andrew D’Souza, a company that would later rebrand as Clearco and grow to become a significant player in funding online businesses.

Romanow’s continued influence was honored with the PWI Next Gen Woman Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for 2020-21, acknowledging her ongoing leadership and innovation. Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, Romanow serves as a director for notable public companies, including Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN), and previously held directorships for Freshii (TSX: FRII) and Whistler Blackcomb. Through her extensive investment portfolio and advisory roles, she continues to champion innovation and growth within the tech and e-commerce sectors, making her a highly sought-after voice in global business and media.